MRRC Training Facility + Roastery

Location | TBD, WA AUS

Guided by the company’s ethos, “Good Coffee for Good People,” the design for the new MRRC roastery + education al facility prioritizes bringing people together through every aspect of the space. This project proposes a multi-functional facility for Margaret River Roasting Company in Vasse, WA, designed to unify their operations and establish a destination for coffee education, production, and community connection.

The development includes five key components: a training and education center, café and restaurant with drive-through, agricultural greenhouse for coffee development, a working roastery with brew tanks, and a warehouse for logistics. The design carefully balances the industrial demands of coffee production with a warm, educational atmosphere—featuring glass-walled roasting spaces, dedicated training rooms, and green spaces that visually and physically connect different areas of the site. Whether through the café, training rooms, or production areas, visitors and staff are constantly connected to the heart of the business—coffee. The open-plan office above the café includes flexible, semi-private management spaces that support collaboration, with the ability to close off for meetings when needed. Ultimately, the facility is designed to grow with the brand and serve as a sustainable, community-driven model for regional coffee culture and industry.

Drawing from the agricultural and winery-rich context of the region, the architectural approach reimagines the traditional rural shed typology as a contemporary, multifunctional facility. The design features a robust formed concrete foundation paired with a steel-framed upper structure clad in custom orb sheeting, offering both structural integrity and a visual link to the site’s industrial and agricultural heritage. At the heart of the concept is the idea of a “transparent shed,” where built form and nature merge. This is expressed through the strategic use of translucent polycarbonate sheeting in key zones such as the entry foyer, greenhouse, and transitional break areas between public and private parts of the roastery. These elements allow diffused natural light to filter deep into the interior, enhancing the spatial experience while maintaining a constant visual connection to the surrounding landscape.

The interior material palette was carefully curated to balance industrial function with warmth and tactility. Recycled local hardwood timber features prominently throughout, adding character and grounding the space in its regional context. Recycled brick paving in a herringbone pattern defines the entry and exterior courtyards, while polished concrete. OSB board, plywood, and powder-coated steel finishes echo the aesthetic of the original roastery. Exposed steel structural elements are celebrated as part of the design language, adding to the raw, utilitarian feel of the space. Natural timber joinery and detailing soften the overall composition, creating moments of warmth and contrast against the industrial framework.To further integrate the building into its landscape, a variety of indoor and outdoor green spaces are interwoven throughout the facility. These include planted courtyards, internal planters, and the greenhouse, helping to foster a sense of calm, sustainability, and connection to the land—reinforcing the brand’s ethos and enhancing the overall user experience.